GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A group of real estate professionals have come together to create a service that is giving back to those who serve the public in the Grand Rapids area.

"U Deserve" has brought together several professionals who are dedicated to lowering costs associated with buying, selling or refinancing a home for active military members, veterans, firefighters, police officers, EMS providers, health care professionals and educators.

“Growing up with a father who served in the National Guard and as a police officer, I was able to see first-hand how much public service individuals give back to their communities,” said Kevin Wildman, founder of U Deserve. “U Deserve is a way of saying ‘thank you’ to those individuals.”

For the fourth consecutive year, Meijer team members and their children will have a chance to receive up to $10,000 to further their college education with the Fred & Lena Meijer Scholarship, a competitive scholarship administered by Grand Rapids Community Foundation.

"Our dad always believed that continuing education and lifelong learning were invaluable," said Doug Meijer, co-chairman of the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer. "My brothers and I are pleased to continue providing this scholarship opportunity for Meijer team members and their children through Grand Rapids Community Foundation."

The Meijer Simply Give program – held three times a year – generated nearly $6 million in 2014 for food pantries throughout the Midwest, bringing the program’s overall donation total to nearly $14 million since it began in November 2008.

The retailer’s most recent campaign, which ended in January, was the most successful holiday campaign in the program’s history, resulting in a total of more than $1.8 million for hungry families.

Refugee youth, who have been separated from their families by community violence, war and abuse are desperate to live in a an accepting and loving foster home that helps welcome them to our country and prepares them for future independence.

LOWELL, Mich.-- The community is invited to this hilarious comedy production written by Linda Daugherty.

Daugherty combines three classic fairy tales, “The Three Little Pigs”, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” and the “Three Billy Goats Gruff" and includes some surprising twists. A cast of 16 local students and adults from Lowell, Saranac, Grand Rapids and Belding brings this fun production to life.

This comedy takes place Saturday, Jan. 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lowell High School Performing Arts Center, located at 11700 Vergennes.

LANSING, Mich. – Making fruits and vegetables more readily available, cancer screenings by mail, health coaches and exercise programs are just several of the local initiatives getting funding from the Michigan Department of Community Health.

The MDCH recently announced 44 projects are getting approximately $1.34 million, including a dozen projects in West Michigan. The grants include: